Whats this all about?

I dont know if this blog is about me or my family but at the moment I dont really care. I hope you can see this video clip of my Kately. I wont have to pay for any acting lessons. She's dramatic enough allready.

Where did the summer go?

So since no one ever reads my blog anyway - I guess I kinda gave up on it. But the thing is..... Where did the summer go? I know its only Aug 1 but in 4 days we go on Family Vacation to Yosemite Nat'l Park and then we have this and that, then I go to San Diego and then school starts.... It's so wrong! Basically my kids have spent summer mornings babysitting and cleaning while I do my aerobics job, and weight watchers job, then we cleaned more, went to the river, or splash pad, or layed around, went swimming occasionally, and endured some absolutley miserable golf tournaments. Remind me to sign them up for swim team next year! In June Keven and I had the Watach Back Relay Race on our minds so there was a lot of running going on. Then there was scout camp, girls camp, and then Tara went to EFY so the younger kids had to take on babysitting responsibilites. We also went to Mesa for a missionary homecoming, and then Tara left again for her Student Council retreat. After family vacation we hope to get our school shopping done and squared away before I head to San Diego for Shari's birthday. Last year my mom paid for her girls to go to San Diego (well, take her anyway) but Wendy would not fly with us and mom couldnt drive that long of a drive so it ended up being me and mom flying to see Shari. We had a blast. We ate, we laughed, we cryed, we shopped, we trudged around old stomping grounds at Seaport Village and managed to keep mom dosed up on meds long enough to make it through it all. Unfortunatley she passed away Nov 11 but we have no regrets about that trip, in fact, we are making it a tradition. I am going to see Shari and we are painting her house... (we are both broke now that mom is gone so the shopping has hit a complete halt) I am so bummed that my mom cant fund my kids' back to school shopping or that I dont have her calling me every day needing something but I know she is much happier now that she isnt suffering. Miss you mom!

Stuff that has Happend

Looking at my camera I realized there are a ton of things that have happend that I havent even mentioned. Talia had her artwork demo'd in the Art Museum.

We took some fun pictures on the way home from church the other day, its so funny to see what each person is doing when you take a self portrait while driving down the road!! Hey I was watching the road too!

Also - Golfing with Tara to get her warmed up for the High School team, and Taners birthday ~ walking through the petco...

This is my life right now....

Thats right, running, running, and more running. So far this week I have done.....28 miles. Wow that sounds like a lot but it was actually an easy week. I ran 3 different times on Thursday... 6am sprints, 2miles about 11am, then 4 miles that night... Why you say? Because that is what I will be doing on June 19th!! 5 miles at 8am, 8 miles at 4pm, and 5 miles the next day at 5am. 18 miles baby!! Bring it on!

I love/hate training. I love it because I can eat more, except soda. I love it because I feel great and feel like I look better, healthier. And I love it because I have a goal, something to work towards. And somehow when I am draggin my family and husband out at night to run, they want to run too!! I biggest dream is hoping that by being in shape my family will want to be in shape too!

I hate it because I can't drink soda or I feel like garbage. I hate it because it takes a lot of time and energy so my house is messy because I get lazy. I hate it because I am sore and my lower back cannot even bend over by the end of the day (thats why you see me in a wrap sometimes) and also why my slave children are picking up this and that for me. I hate it because famous runners like Karen Goucher are freaking running 20 miles a day and spending the nights with a massage therapist and I just cant compete with that! If I could have a massage therapist I could push myself harder but who has the money for that? Please note that all of the HATE things are actually good things. Its good to not drink soda, make my children slaves, and be sore once in a while....... better than getting out of breath taking one load of laundry up stairs because I never do anything at all..... I would rather be in shape, than not in shape.

Women's Conference 2009!

As usual Women's Conference was a blast!!! Pretty much non-stop laughter and eating and some great classes. Here's some photos of the fun!

~THURSDAY~

Usually we try to be one of the first ones at the Instant Choir rehearsal but this year we took our time getting ready and having breakfast first. We were such rebels when we walked in late!

One of the best parts (especially for Shari) is the BYU campus with the tulips in bloom!

Here we are in our first class. It was on how to discipline with firmness and love. Hmmm...now where are those notes I took? Need to refresh my memory. :)

Tried something new for lunch-the Skyview restaurant. Had an awesome view, obviously and a really good salad/italian food buffet. Love it!

First of many trips to the famous bakery. Shari has to have the mint brownies.

I prefer the Cinnamon buns. They go right to the buns too!!!

We arrived a little late to the Night of Service and went to the greeting card station. I was in my element and loved every minute of it while my 'anti-crafting' sister looked on.

We lucked out and got some Reserved tickets for the concert that night! Saw tons of amazing performances!


~FRIDAY~

We took a lot of silly self portraits this year! Couldn't resist a photo with the pretty pink tree.

More tulips!

On Friday we had one goal...other than eating..and that was to go to classes offered by our fav. speakers-John Byetheway and Brad Wilcox. We had to camp out in the Smith Fieldhouse to guarantee a seat for both but it was worth it! Here we are with our good friend John. Got a pic with Brad too but Shari couldn't get it to download! (that's what I get for hiring slave labor)

Dinner at Ottavio's has become a tradition. This year we were feeling slightly 'bloated' since we had eaten constantly so we shared a salmon salad that was so yummy! We had the same waiter as last year. He was weird.

Meeting my cousin Sean at the mall has become a tradition as well. Good times!

After the movie (lame lame movie) we had someone get one last picture of us so I could show off my hot boots!

We are already counting the days until next year!

My Sister, My Slave.

I am making Shari my slave so since she has all the pictures she will be posting about Womens Conference on my site as well as hers. But I got a new book written by John Bytheway titled "How to be Totally Miserable" and it is so great. I am going to put a quote on here as often as I can from it.

Quote of the Day - " If we just start with the idea that this is a hard world, it makes each good moment make life seem easy."